zoning
10 years ago No Comments

(pronounced ZOH-ning)

The majority of municipalities in the US have zoning laws, which partition off certain portions of the city for specific use — i.e., residential, industrial, commercial, etc. — as well as dictate certain building characteristics, such as the number of stories. The idea is to preserve the character or neighborhoods and prevent scenarios like a) a wastewater treatment plant from going in next to school, or 2) a high-rise office building from going in next to an established residential development. In most cases, however, the owner of a piece of property can petition the local government to change the zoning restrictions and/or make an exception.